Silesian University of Technology | Artificial intelligence will help diagnose and monitor COVID-19

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Author: Jadwiga Witek Published At: 04.03.2021 Updated At: 24.03.2021

Artificial intelligence will help diagnose and monitor COVID-19

The project of the City Hospital No 4 in Gliwice and the Silesian University of Technology, co-financed by the National Centre for Research and Development, was launched. This is the first initiative of this type aimed at reducing the time needed to describe a CT scan, detecting clinically unsuspected COVID-19 cases and providing additional information on the basis of which it will be possible to improve the existing or to create new diagnostic schemes. The City Hospital No 4 is the leader of the project and the Silesian University of Technology became the consortium member.

Many people who struggle with COVID-19, develop pneumonia, which can rapidly lead to respiratory failure. However, effective diagnosis and identification of high-risk patients are difficult. A special system of tools supported by artificial intelligence can help doctors in conducting rapid diagnostics.

The agreement concluded with the National Centre for Research and Development in Warsaw is a great opportunity to better prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and the gigantic value of the project - over PLN 5 million - testifies an unprecedented scale of research.

Przemysław Gliklich, President of the City Hospital No 4 in Gliwice

By analyzing CT and clinical data, artificial intelligence systems can provide clinical predictions that can help doctors in their daily work. Additionally, the data obtained as a result of segmentation will allow for a quantitative comparison of morphological changes found not only in COVID-19 but also in other diseases, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). This will allow for more accurate monitoring of the regression or progression of changes found in computed tomography in the case of interstitial pneumonia, and in connection with other clinical data - prognosis of disease progression.

The Silesian University of Technology, which conducts applied research in six priority areas, focuses its efforts in this area based on close cooperation with the socio-economic environment and tries to respond to its needs. An example may be the last year and the challenges of the pandemic, which the University has been strongly committed to fighting from the very beginning, supporting medical services in counteracting its effects.

Professor Arkadiusz Mężyk, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology

A special database will be created at the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science of the Silesian University of Technology under the supervision of Professor Joanna Polańska.

The most important idea is to support the medical staff who face completely new challenges in the situation of a pandemic. Artificial intelligence systems can be available 24/7, constantly, because they do not show fatigue or weakness.

Professor Joanna Polańska

Professor Marek Pawełczyk - Vice Rector for Science and Development, says.

Science is the enormous potential of Gliwice, ensuring the city's dynamic development. I am glad that our city hospital is also included among the institutions that carry out important scientific projects. It is with great satisfaction, that I observe the positive effects of the reorganisation of the facility and the great commitment of its employees. The innovative project supporting the fight against COVID-19 is another innovative project implemented by the municipal institution together with the Silesian University of Technology. It is also another challenge undertaken by the hospital in the fight against the pandemic, which may bring long-term benefits to patients.

Adam Neumann, Mayor of Gliwice

The implemented project is yet another action taken by the University in the fight against COVID-19. Scientists have already developed diagnostic systems used by medical staff. These include the COVID-19 diagnostic imaging support system - CIRCA, the CORNELIA platform (Coronavirus Neurological Impairment) enabling the collection of surveys on cognitive disorders related to COVID-19, and the DECODE system, which helps to pre-exclude the coronavirus among people with symptoms also typical for other diseases.